SB0181

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ELECTION CODE-VARIOUS

What this bill does

Amends the Election Code. Requires Voter Identification Cards for those who do not have acceptable photo identification. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person's identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card. In provisions concerning electioneering at voting precincts, provides that electioneering includes the distribution of food or drinks to voters. Provides that each election authority shall establish procedures for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration for an election until the 7th day before the election (currently, the day of the election). Provides that a polling place shall not be located in any residential building, including, but not limited to, an apartment or dormitory. Provides that election authorities shall establish vote centers in at least 2 locations. Specifies the locations where vote centers shall be located. Provides that each election authority shall keep a secure record of the number of ballots printed and distributed to the judges of election at each polling place of each precinct or district. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall develop standards that each election authority shall implement for the 2026 general primary election, and all subsequent elections, to count and track the number of ballots printed and distributed. Removes provisions allowing voters to apply for permanent vote by mail status. Removes a provision that authorizes election authorities to maintain one or more secure collection sites for the postage-free return of vote by mail ballots. Provides that the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall complete the validation and counting of provisional ballots within 7 calendar days (rather than 14 calendar days) of the day after the election. Provides that specified vote by mail ballots returned to an election authority shall be counted on or before the 7th day after the election. Provides that any person who, during an early voting period, gathers on behalf of another and submits to an election authority more than 3 vote by mail ballots shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Makes other changes.

Sponsor: Chapin Rose Chamber: Senate Introduced: 2025-01-17
Stuck
P(Advance)
3.9%
Chance it ever reaches a milestone (committee, floor, etc.). Not “next step.”
P(Law)
0.0%
Chance it becomes law given where it is now (stage, momentum).
Confidence: 96%

Calculating prediction drivers...

Pipeline Progress

Current stage: In Committee · Last action 456 days ago · STAGNANT

How does a bill become law in Illinois?
  1. Introduction of Bill

    A member of the Senate or the House introduces a bill, which is assigned a unique identifying number (e.g., "H.B. ___" for House bills and "S.B. ___" for Senate bills). If not enacted, it must be reintroduced in the next General Assembly with a new number.

  2. Committee Work — Hearings

    The bill goes to the appropriate committee, which holds hearings to gather expert opinions and determine the need for the legislation.

  3. Committee Work — Markup, Amendments, Report

    The committee may make amendments to the bill. If approved, a committee report endorsing the bill is issued.

  4. Floor Debate

    The bill is debated and can be further amended. The debate transcripts are accessible online for public viewing.

  5. Passage and Consideration in Second Chamber

    If the bill passes in the first chamber, it moves to the second chamber for a similar review process. If both chambers approve, it goes to the governor.

  6. Gubernatorial Action

    The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action (resulting in an automatic law after 60 days). The type of veto can be total or amendatory. Once signed, the bill becomes a Public Act and is assigned a Public Act number.

Sponsor Context

Hearings

This bill has not been scheduled for a committee hearing.

Action History

10 actions recorded. Last action: 2025-04-11 — Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred toAssignments. Each action's meaning and outcome signal are classified automatically.

2025-01-17 Introduction & Filing
Filed with Secretary bySen. Chapin Rose Rule 2-7(b)
Bill officially submitted to the Senate Secretary during the session.
2025-01-17 Introduction & Filing
First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38
Formal introduction — title read into the official record. Required procedural step; bill now exists in the system.
2025-01-17 Committee Assignment
Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a)
Sent to a committee (usually Rules in the House, Assignments in the Senate). The gatekeeping step — Rules/Assignments decides which substantive committee hears the bill.
2025-01-28 Committee Assignment
Assigned toExecutive Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b)
Sent to a substantive committee (e.g., Transportation, Revenue). This is where the bill gets a real hearing and evaluation.
2025-02-19 Committee Assignment
ToElections Rule 3-3(b)
Referred to a subcommittee for more focused review (e.g., 'To Tax Policy: Other Taxes Subcommittee').
2025-03-21 Deadlines & Re-referrals
Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025 Rule 2-10(a)(3-4)
Senate committee deadline set or extended. Procedural — establishes when the bill must be voted out of committee.
2025-03-31 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Craig Wilcox Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-03-31 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Andrew S. Chesney Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-02 Co-Sponsorship Mild +
Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a)
A legislator added as co-sponsor.
2025-04-11 Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −
Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred toAssignments Rule 3-9(a)
Senate procedural rule — bill re-referred to Assignments for missing Rule 2-10 deadline. Bill is NOT dead but faces uphill battle.

All actions (table)

Date Chamber Action Category Signal
2025-01-17 Senate Filed with Secretary bySen. Chapin Rose Rule 2-7(b) Introduction & Filing
2025-01-17 Senate First Reading Senate Rule 5-1(d)/5-2; House Rule 37(d)/38 Introduction & Filing
2025-01-17 Senate Referred toAssignments Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(a) Committee Assignment
2025-01-28 Senate Assigned toExecutive Senate Rule 3-8(a); House Rule 18(b) Committee Assignment
2025-02-19 Senate ToElections Rule 3-3(b) Committee Assignment
2025-03-21 Senate Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As April 11, 2025 Rule 2-10(a)(3-4) Deadlines & Re-referrals
2025-03-31 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Craig Wilcox Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-03-31 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Andrew S. Chesney Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-02 Senate Added as Co-SponsorSen. Chris Balkema Senate Rule 5-1(a); House Rule 37(a) Co-Sponsorship Mild +
2025-04-11 Senate Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred toAssignments Rule 3-9(a) Deadlines & Re-referrals Mild −